122: Challenge Arrogance
"Did you guys forget how Brother Lin crushed the Japanese Team yesterday? He might actually pull off a solo victory."
"Though I don't want to undermine our own morale, it seems unlikely when you think about it. Those guys on the other side are the strongest in the entire Blue Star football world."
"Exactly. I'm not even sure about one of them, let alone Brother Lin taking them all on at once..."
"..."
The members of the European Team naturally found it increasingly absurd the more they thought about it.
Beckham smiled and spoke up first.
"Mr. Lin, is it? I'm Beckham. I believe you should know me."
"I want to say, you alone against all of us—that sounds unfair."
"Besides, my colleagues here are currently obsessed with your country's duck and can't all break away to compete with you."
"How about this? Why don't the two of us have a match first?"
As a veteran player and senior who had been retired for many years, Beckham felt he had a responsibility to look after the new generation.
To give them enough time to eat duck.
Moreover, he believed that even though he had long since retired, competing against a Dragon Country player would be more than enough to win.
But Lin Pei was clearly dissatisfied with Beckham's proposal.
"Mr. Beckham, I've heard much about you."
"I'm afraid I cannot accept your suggestion. Since your side wants to compete against our strongest person, then our side naturally wants to compete against your strongest player as well."
He scanned the opposing players, finally fixing his gaze on Messi.
"For example, this Messi?"
Beckham was indeed somewhat surprised by Lin Pei's words.
He hadn't expected Lin Pei to challenge their strongest European player, Messi, right from the start.
This left him momentarily unsure of Lin Pei's intentions.
Was he trying to lose to the strongest person so that the defeat wouldn't seem so pathetic?
Hearing this, Messi sucked his fingers, mockery in his eyes.
"The Dragon Country person has good taste. Looking at the football world today, I, Messi, am indeed the strongest existence."
"However, I won't compete with you. Your country's level is too poor; it's not enough to make me take the field."
As Messi finished speaking, Beckham and the rest of the European Team members looked embarrassed.
They knew this guy was arrogant, but you can't just call people trash to their faces on their own turf.
Where's the basic courtesy?
Beside them, Neymar's face was a living 'confused guy' meme.
Wait, is this guy okay?
He hasn't even finished chewing the duck in his mouth, yet he's insulting their level to their faces.
These ducks this afternoon were provided by the hosts.
He ate their food, so even if he wasn't going to be soft-spoken, why was he acting so tough?
Even if their level is truly poor, couldn't he be a bit more tactful?
The netizens in the Dragon Country Officials media live stream were also quite surprised.
"Ah... I didn't expect Messi to be so arrogant. I liked him for nothing!"
"Damn, my former idol's reputation just collapsed in my own country... Goodbye, Messi."
"It's undeniable that Messi is indeed the strongest in football today. He's so skilled, so what if he's a bit arrogant?"
"Holy crap, person upstairs, he clearly despises our Dragon Country, and you're still defending him? Are you even from Dragon Country?"
"Answering for that person: I'm also from Dragon Country, and Messi isn't wrong, is he? Our Dragon Country's football level is just poor... Don't we usually despise it ourselves?"
"It's okay for us to despise it, but not others! Brother Lin, take him down for us!"
"We want to, but Messi's skill is obvious to everyone. I wonder if Brother Lin can pull it off..."
"..."
Seeing Messi refuse, Lin Pei let out a cold laugh.
"Messi, I only said just now that you might be the strongest player in Europe."
"But don't forget, there's also Asia outside of Europe. In my eyes, you don't look like much either."
Stephen Chow chimed in from the side.
"Exactly, exactly. Mr. Messi, you really don't look like much."
"Not only is your build not as tall or strong as my Big Brother's, you don't even gnaw on this duck meat with as much vigor as he does."
"It's not just a little difference; it's like worlds apart!"
The eyes of the European Team members widened once again.
They hadn't expected the Dragon Country people to be so direct when roasting someone.
Hiss.
And why did it feel like this Dragon Country person was belittling the overall level of Europe?
But fortunately, he was targeting Messi, not them. They could still enjoy gnawing on their ducks.
Messi was indeed exploding with rage.
What?
He was the number one in European football, yet this Dragon Country person didn't respect him at all?
Outrageous!
And looking at Lin Pei across from him, he really didn't seem as tall, and his muscles weren't as well-defined as this Dragon Country person's.
Anger and jealousy burned in his heart simultaneously.
Messi sucked his fingers again and roared in Chinese.
"Tasty!"
!!!!
Everyone was shocked; they could all understand this phrase.
But what kind of confusing statement was this?
Ronaldo, not far away, completely agreed.
"I told you it was tasty long ago, brother."
"Got excited eating it this time? I was just as excited the first time I ate it."
Coming to his senses, Messi first rolled his eyes at Ronaldo, his face flushing red.
This Dragon Country duck really bewitches the heart!
He clearly didn't want to say that just now.
"Cough... What I said was... 'Fine'."
"Dragon Country person over there, I agree to have a match with you."
Lin Pei nodded.
"Fine, let's go."
Stephen Chow said.
"Brother, why don't you eat some more? We can start in a bit?"
"Never mind, it should be pretty quick anyway. Won't take up much time."
Everyone understood.
Messi against a Dragon Country player should indeed be a quick win, likely effortless... Before long, Lin Pei and Messi stood opposite each other, preparing for the match.
At this moment, let alone the Dragon Country audience on-site, even the netizens in the Dragon Country media official live stream were a bit afraid to watch.
After all, while Lin Pei was powerful, Messi had already become a legend in the football world.
In everyone's perception, their levels couldn't possibly be on the same tier.
Messi might not have as much kicking power as Lin Pei, but in terms of playing football, he was always top-tier.
Because the family members of the European Team players hosting the live stream were also somewhat famous, the European live stream room was also quite lively.
"This Dragon Country person has some self-awareness, knowing that against our Messi, he won't last long."
"Actually choosing our Messi—it's simply asking for humiliation."
"Eh? This Dragon Country person opposite is so handsome. I can't bear to see him lose, what should I do?"
"What's the use of being handsome? A pity for such a good face, to actually be a Dragon Country player, sigh..."
"Besides this Dragon Country person, I'm also very interested in that Dragon Country duck they were eating just now. Look at how ferociously those players are eating."
"+1. Clearly, when these players eat local food, they're expressionless or even look miserable. This duck definitely isn't simple."
"..."
...